Fluid distributing and mixing device



Jan. 3, 1939. F. J. KURTH 2,142,134

FLUID DISTRIBUTING AND MIXING DEVICE Filed Oct. 10, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTCRNEY Jan. 3, 1939. J KURTH FLUID DISTRIBUTING AND MIXING DEVICE F iled Oct. 10, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS fkmvz J, KU/Ff/w ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES FLUID DISTRIBUTING AND MIXING DEVICE Franz J. Kurth, New York, N. Y., assignor to Anemostat Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application October 10, 1936, Serial No. 104,955

20 Claims.

This invention relates to fluid distributing devices of the general type comprising a series of successively larger, outwardly flaring, truncated, hollow members disposed in spaced apart relationship to provide a series of outwardly flaring fluid passageways therebetween, and has genboth within the device and within that portion of a room or other enclosure adjacent to the device.

Under certain conditions it may be desirable to mix with fresh or treated air or gas being supplied to a room or other enclosure, some of the room or enclosure air or gas. For example, in the art of air conditioning and where there is a material difference in temperature between outside or treated air being supplied to a. room and the room air, a feeling of draft may be experienced by occupants of the room if the outside or treated, air is introduced into the room at its outside temperature. On the other hand, any sensation of draft is practically avoided if sufficient of the room air is mixed with the outside or treated air to bring the temperature of the outside or treated air more nearly to the temperature of the room air before the outside or treated air has entered the room any appreciable distance. Moreover, if outside or treated air introduced into a room or other enclosure is introduced substantially draftlessly through a plurality of outwardly flaring passageways any sensation of draft is practically avoided even though a considerable difference in temperature may exist between the room air and the outside or treated air being supplied to the room.

Accordingly, the present invention has more particularly in view to provide improvements in air or gas distributing devices of the general type referred to, whereby such devices will function not only to direct air ,or gas into a room or other enclosure substantially .draftlessly in a plurality of separate streams, but in such manner as to cause a mixing of a considerable portion of the room or enclosure air or gas with the outside or treated air or gas being supplied to the room or enclosure, either prior to or substantially simultaneously with delivery of the outside or treated airor gas into the room or enclosure. Thereby, in the case of air conditioning a room or other enclosure by supplying fresh or treated air thereto through one of the present devices, any sensation of draft is practically avoided even though a material difference in temperature may exist between the room or enclosure air and the outside or treated air, and, in any case, the introduction of outside air or gas into a room or other enclosure does not produce any noticeable agitation of the room or enclosure air or gas.

Since devices constructed in accordance with the present invention function to effect a highly eflicient mixing of outside or treated air or gas being supplied to a room or other enclosure, with the room or enclosure air or gas, it follows that in many cases the outside or treated air or gas may be delivered to the devices at considerably greater velocities than would otherwise be practicable. This, in turn, means that smaller air or gas supply ducts may be used than would otherwise be practicable. Furthermore, due to the highly efficient mixing effect of a device embodying the present improvements there may be a considerably higher temperature differential between the air in a. room or other enclosure and outside or treated. air being supplied thereto without producing a sensation of draft than would otherwise be practicable. This, in turn, means that in order to produce and to maintain a given temperature in a room or other enclosure, the volume of outside or treated air or gas supplied to the room or enclosure may be consider-' ably lessthan would otherwise be practicable,

andthis in turn, again means not only that smaller and less expensive ducts but also that smaller and less expensive fans or blowers and driving motors therefor may be employed than otherwise would be practicable.

With the foregoing and other objects and the obtaining of other advantages in view, which will become more fully apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts in a device of the character referred to as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and defined in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a central, longitudinal section through an air or gas distributing device constructed in accordance with one practical embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 2 to 5 are views similar to Fig. 1 illustrating alternative constructions; and Fig. 6 is a front elevation of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings in detail, first with particular reference to Fig. 1, A designates a supply conduit for outside or treated air or gas and B designates, generally, an air mixing and distributing device constructed in accordance with one practical embodiment of the present invention and located at the outlet or delivery end of said supply conduit.

The air or gas mixing and distributing device B is composed of a plurality of successively larger, hollow, forwardly flaring, truncated members disposed in spaced apart relationship to provide a plurality of forwardly flaring air passageways therebetween, there being, in the present instance, five of said members, designated as I, 2, 3, 4, 5, combined with a sixth disk-like member 6 extending laterally outwardly from the outlet or delivery end of the conduit A and cooperating with said disk-like member and each other to provide five separate air or gas passageways, designated as a, b, c, d and e, in addition to a passageway I through the forwardmost or smallest member I.

The members I, 2, 3, 4 and 5 have progressively increasing amounts of flare from the forwardmost or smallest member rearwardly and the smaller, rear ends of said members are disposed in planes so related to each other that air or gas supplied through the conduit A passes outwardly through the passageways between certain of said members and produces a suction effect in certain other of said passageways. In other words, according to the construction illustrated in Fig. 1 the rear end of the rearmost or largest member 5 is disposed in advance of the outlet end of the conduit A and laterally outward with respect to a continuation of the wall of said conduit; the rear end of the next smaller member 4 is disposed laterally inward from the rear end of the rearmost or largest member 5 and also inwardly from a continuation of the conduit A, and preferably is somewhat nearer the outlet end of the conduit A than the rear end of the member 5, although it may be disposed either in the same plane or in a plane rearwardly or forwardly with respect to the plane of the rear end of the outermost member 5; the rear end of the next smaller member 3 is disposed well outwardly laterally and also forwardly relative to the rear end of the member 4; the rear end of the next smaller member 2 is disposed well laterally inward from the rear end of the member 4 and preferably in a plane slightly forwardly of the plane of the inner edge of said member 4, although it may be disposed either in the same plane as the rear end of said member 4 or more or less inwardly or outwardly of the plane of the rear end of said member 4; and, finally, the rear end of the forwardmost or smallest member I is disposed laterally outward relative to the rear end of the member 2 and in a plane spaced well forwardly of the plane of the rear end of said member 2. The members I, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 may be of any desired lengths. For example, they may be of such lengths, as shown, that a surface touching all of their outer edges is approximately of hemispherical form, or their lengths may besuch that their outer edges lie in a common or substantially common plane.

Because of the construction shown and described, air or gas flowing through the conduit A to the device B is free to enter the rear, open end of the member 2 and to pass through the rear end portion of said member into the rear, open end of the forwardmost or smallest member I and outwardly through said forwardmost or smallest member. Also, air or gas flowing 'rear end of member 4.

through the conduit A is free to enter the rear ends of the passageways b and d and to pass outwardly through said passageways. Since, however, the rear ends of the members I 3 and 5 are disposed laterally outward with respect to the rear ends of the members 2 and 4 and the outlet end 'of the conduit A, respectively, the inner end portions of the members 2 and 4 and the outlet end of the conduit A, act as bailles to prevent air or gas supplied through the conduit A from flowing forwardly through the passageways a, c and e and to direct the air or gas across the rear ends of said passageways a, c and e. As a consequence, air or gas flowing forwardly through the forwardmost or smallest member I and the passageways b and 11 produces a relatively strong suction effect in the passageways a, c and e which results in large volumes of room or enclosure air or gas being drawn through said pas sageways and becoming mixed within the device with outside or treated air or gas supplied through the conduit A prior, of course, to the outside or treated air or gas entering the room or enclosure. Thus, the objects and advantages heretofore enumerated are accomplished and attained in a very simple manner.

While in Fig. 1 the members I, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are shown to be disposed in axial alinement with each other and with the axis of the conduit A, some or all of said members may be axially ofiset with respect to one another and also with respect to the axis of the conduit. Also they may be disposed with their axes at inclinations to one another and if desired, to the axis of the conduit A, where it is desirable that air or gas delivered from the device be directed more ,to one side thereof than the other or more to one side than the other of a room.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2, cooperating flaring members are designated as I, 2, 3 4, 5 and 8", while the passageways therebetween are designated as a, b, c, d and e'. As shown in Fig. 2, however, the rear ends of the members I, 2 and 3' are disposed substantially in longitudinal alinement, and the rear ends of the members 4' and 5 are likewise disposed substantially in longitudinal alinement. The rear ends of the members 4 and 5a are moreover disposed laterally inwards with respect to a continuation of the wall of conduit A, while the rear ends of the members I, 2 and 3 are disposed laterally inwards from the rear ends of members 4 and 5. The rear ends of the several members are disposed in various planes, the rear end of member 3- being disposed approximately in the same plane as the Because of this arrangement a major amount of air or gas coming from the conduit A will flow freely forwardly through the passageways a, c and e' and through the forwardmost or smallest member I, while a minor amount of such airor gas is permitted to pass more or less freely forwardly through the forward portions of the passageways with some of the air or gas contained in the space into which the device B discharges; Obviously, instead of the arrangement shown, the rear ends of any two of said members may be longitudinally alined.

Also, the several members may be offset laterally with respect to each other and with respect to the conduit A as set forth in connection with the Fig. 1 construction.

According to the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3, wherein the cooperating members are designated as l 2 3 4 5 and 6 and the passageways therebetween are designated as a b d and e the arrangement of the rear ends of said members is such that air or gas coming from the conduit A flows freely forwardly through the passageways a 0 and e producing a suction effect through the forwardmost or smallest member I and the passageways b and d In other words, according to the construction illustrated in Fig. 3 the inner edge of the rearmost or largest member is disposed in advance of the outlet end of the conduit A? and laterally inwards with respect to a continuation of the Wall of said conduit; the rear end of the next smaller member 4 is disposed in advance of and laterally outward with respect to the rear end of the member 5*; the rear end of the next smaller member 3 is disposed in a plane between the planes of the rear ends of the members 5' and 4 and laterally inward with respect to the .rear end of the next smaller member 5*; the rear end of the member 2* is disposed in advance of and laterally outward with respect to the rear end of the member 3*; and the inner edge of the forwardmost or smallest member l is disposed in a plane between the planes of the rear ends of the members 3 and 2 preferably adjacent to the plane of the rear end of the member 3 and laterally inward with respect to the inner edges of both of said members 3 and 2 the inner, open end of said forwardmost or smallest member l being relatively small as shown.

Because of the construction shown in Fig. 3, air or gas flowing outwardly through the conduit A to the device 13 is free to enter the rear, open end of each of the members 2", 3 4 5 and the passageway e between the members 5 and 6. However, because of the baflling of the rear ends of the passageways a and c by the rear end portions of the members 3 and 5; respectively, air or gas entering the rear ends of the-members 3 and 5 does not flow forwardly through the passageways b and 11 but is directed across the rearends of said passageways into the passageways.

a 0 with the result that suction eifects are produced in the passageways b and d Moreover, due to the relatively small size of .the rear end of the smallest member 1 and the strong outward flow of air or gas around said member through the passageway a, a suction effect is produced in said smallest member. Consequent- 1y, when the device is operatingthere is a rearward flow of air or gas through the passageway I in the forwardmost or smallest member I and through the passageways b", d, simultaneously with a forward flow of air or gas through the passageways a, c and e, with the result, that there is mixed within the device some of the air or gas from the space into which the device discharges,,with some of the air or gas flowing from the conduit A through the device.

Obviously, as in the case of the Figs; 1 and 2 constructions, the rear ends of some or all of the members l 2 3 4 and 5' may be more nearly alined longitudinally of the device than as shown,

and some or all of said members may be laterally offset with respect to each other and also, if desired, with respect to the conduit A According to any of the embodiments of the invention the'rear ends of the flaring members itis desired that air or gas delivered from the device shall be to one side or the other of the air or gas supply conduit. Furthermore, any desired means such, for example, as webs interposed between the flaring members, or wires or strips extending through said members or connecting their free edges, may be employed to hold said members in operative relationship to each other and the air or gas supply conduit.

According to Fig. 4 of the drawings, wherein the flaring members are designated as I 2 3 4 '5 and 6 and the passageways therebetween are designated as a b 0 d and e the construction is the same as illustrated in Fig. 3 except that the rear end portions of the members i 3 and 5 are curved forwardly and provided with beaded, streamlined, stifiened rear edges,

and the inner end portions of the members 2 and 4 are curved rearwardly and provided with beaded, streamlined, stiffened inner edges. The curving of the inner end portions of said members serves to intensify the recirculation action of the device by widening the inner ends of the passageways a 0' and e and narrowing the inner ends of the passageways b and d and the inner end of the passageway I through the innermost member I also, the curving of the inner ends of said members has the effect of directing the air or gas into the passageways a 0 and e and deflecting the air or gas across the passageways b and d in a manner such that any vibration or noise due to the air or gas impinging against the inner end portions of the members is effectively avoided. This is true regardless of the beaded or otherwise streamlined rear ends of the members. Accordingly, beading or streamlining of the rear ends of the members, while desirable, is not essential. In this connection it will be understood, of course, that the rear ends of the flaring members of any of the forms of the device may be streamlined or curved oraboth streamlined and curved.

Finally, in Figs. 5 and 6 a construction is shown which is adapted to be used where the device denoted B is placed against a wall, as for instance over a door entrance. In this case, the various hollow flaring members are made in the shape of segments. ignated as l, 2 3, 4 and 6, while the passageways between said members are designated as a b 0 and d Another passageway is shown at e inside the flat wall 5, whereas f designates the passageway through the forwardmost or smallest member l The several flaring members are so arranged relative to each other and to the discharge end of the conduit A that the air supplied through said conduit freely flows outwards through the passageways a and c and along the wall of the forwardmost or smallest member I. The forward flow of air through the passageways a and 0 produces a suction in the passageways b 11 and e while the forward flow of air along the wall of the forwardmost or smallest member I e produces a suction in the passageway f Because of said suction, room air is drawn into said passageways 12 d, e and 1 and mingles with The members are here des' the air flowing forwardly through the passageways a c and along the wall of the innermost member-1.

In all the flgures of the drawings, there are indicated at 9 stays or braces for holding the several flaring members in their mutually spaced relative positions and in operative position relative to the air-conduit marked in the various figures respectively as A, A, A, A A and A While the devices have been referred to as air or gas distributing and mixing devices, it is pointed out that they are not restricted to use for the distribution and mixing of air or gas, but may be used for the distribution of practically all fluids, including liquids.

From the foregoing description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings it is believed that the construction, operation and advantages of devices embodying some or all of the features of the invention will be clearly understood. It is desired to point out, however, that while only certain specific structural embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, the same is readily capable of embodiment in various other specifically different structures within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:-

1. A fluid distributing and mixing device comprising a series of successively smaller forwardly flaring hollow members disposed in spaced apart relationship to provide a series of forwardly flaring fluid passageways therebetween, the rear ends of certain of said members being disposed laterally inward with respect to the rear ends of the next adjacent smaller members so that fluid flowing forwardly through the device is permitted to pass freely forwardly through certain of said passageways and is directed across the rear ends of certain other of said passageways to produce an inward flow of fluid through the latter passageways and a mixing within the device of the inflowing fluid with the outflowing laterally inward with respect to the rear ends of the next adjacent smaller members, respectively, so that fluid flowing through the device is permitted to pass freely forward through alternate of said passageways and is directed across the rear ends of the intermediate passageways to produce'a rearward flow of fluid through the latter passageways and a mixing within the devileie of the inflowing fluid with the outflowing 3. A fluid distributing device as set forth in claim 1 in which the rear end'portions of certain of said members are curved rearwardly.

4. A fluid distributing and mixing device as set forth in claim 1 in which the rear end portions of certain of the members are curved forwardly 5. A fluid distributing and mixing .device as set forth inclaim 1 in which the rear end portions of certain of the members are curved rearwardly and the rear end portions of certain other of the members are curved forwardly. I

6. A fluid distributing and mixing device comprising a member at the rear end of the device having an opening through whichsupplied fluid is delivered to the device, a series of successively smaller, hollow, forwardly flaring members in advance of said flrst mentioned member, open at their rear and forward ends and spaced from each other and from said first mentioned member to provide a plurality of forwardly flaring passageways open at their rear and forward ends, the space between the fluid supply opening in said first mentioned member and the open, rear ends of said flaring members being unobstructed so that fluid supplied through the opening in said first mentioned member flows directly through the open, rear ends of said flaring members for flow from the device through certain of said passageways, at least a portion of the open, rear end of at least one of said flaring members being constructed and arranged to direct the supplied fluid'across at least a portion of at least one of said passageways located in advance of said member, whereby there is produced within said portion of said passageway a suction eifect causing a rearward flow of fluid therethrough and a mixing within the device of the rearwardly flowing fluid with the supplied, forwardly flowing fluid.

7. A fluid distributing and mixing device as set forth in claim 6 in which the flaring member portion which is arranged to direct fluid across a portion of one of the passageways is disposed laterally inward of the corresponding portion of the open, rear end of a smaller of the flaring members.

8. A fluid distributing and mixing device as set forth in claim 6 in which the flaring member portion which is arranged to direct fluid across a portion of one of the passageways is disposed no farther laterally outward than the corresponding portion of the open rear end of a smaller of the flaring members.

9. A fluid distributing and mixing device as set forth in claim 6 in which at least a portion of the open, rear end of each of a plurality of the flaring members is arranged to direct the supplied fluid across at least a portion of a related passageway disposed in advance thereof, whereby there is produced within said portions of said passageways a suction effect causing a rearward flow of fluid therethrough and a mixing within the device of the rearwardly flowing fluid with the supplied, forwardly flowing fluid.

10. A 'fluid distributing and mixing device as set forth in claim 6 in which atleast a portion of the open, rear end of each of a plurality of the flaring members is disposed laterally inward of the corresponding portion of the open, rear end of a smaller of said members, respectively, to direct the supplied fluid across related portions of relatively forwardly disposed passageways, respectively, whereby there is produced within said portions of said passageways a suction effect causing a rearward flow of fluid therethrough and a mixing within the device of the rearwardly flowing, fluid with the supplied,'forwardly flowing fluid.

'11. A fluid distributing and mixing device as setforth in claim 6 in which at least a portion of the open, rear end of each of a plurality of the flaring members is disposed no farther laterally outward from the axis of the device than the corresponding portion of the open, rear end of a smaller of said members, respectively, to direct'the supplied fluid across related portions of relatively forwardly disposed passageways, respectively, whereby there is produced within said portions of said passageways a suction effect causing a rearward flow of fluid therethrough and a mixing within the device of the rearwardly flowing fluid with the supplied, forwardly flowing fluid.

12. A fluid distributing and mixing device as set forth in claim 6 in which the entire open, rear end of at least one of the flaring members is arranged to direct the supplied fluid across the rear end of a passageway disposed in advance of said member, whcreby'there is produced within said passageway a suction effect causing a rearward flow of fluid therethrough and a mixing within the device of the rearwardly flowing fluid with the supplied, forwardly flowing fluid.

13. A fluid distributing and mixing device as set forth in claim 6 in which the entire open, rear end of at least one of the flaring members is disposed laterally inward of the open, rear end of a smaller of said members to direct the supplied fluid across the rear end of a passageway disposed in advance of said member, whereby there is produced within such passageway a suction effect causing a rearward flow of fluid therethrough and a mixing within the device of the rearwardly flowing fluid with the supplied, forwardly flowing fluid.

14. A fluid distributing and mixing device as set forth in claim 6 in which the entire open, rear end of at least one of the flaring members is disposed no farther laterally outward from the axis of the device than the open, rear end of a smaller of said members, to direct the supplied fluid across the rear end of a passageway,

disposed in advance of said member, whereby there is produced within such passageway a suc-- tion effect causing a rearward flow of fluid therethrough and a mixing within the device of the rearwardly flowing fluid with the supplied, forwardly flowing fluid.

15. A fluid distributing and mixing device as set forth in claim 6 in which the entire open, rear ends of a plurality of the flaring members are arranged to direct the supplied fluid across related forwardly disposed passageways, respectively, whereby there is produced within said passageways a suction effect causing a rearward flow of fluid therethrough and a mixing within the device of the rearwardly flowing fluid with the supplied, forwardly flowing fluid.

16. A fluid distributing and mixing device as set forth in claim 6 in which the entire open, rear ends of a plurality of the flaring members are disposed laterally inward of the open, rear ends of smaller of said members, respectively, to direct the supplied fluid across related forwardly disposed passageways, respectively,whereby there is produced within said passageways a suction effect causing a rearward flow of fluid therethrough and a mixing within the device of the rearwardly flowing fluid with the supplied, forwardly flowing fluid.

17. A fluid distributing and mixing device as set forth in claim 6 in which the entire open, rear ends of a plurality of the flaring members are disposed no farther laterally outward from the axis of the device than the open, rear ends of smaller of said members, respectively, to direct the supplied fluid across related forwardly disposed passageways, respectively, whereby there is produced within said passageways a suction eifect causing a rearward flow of fluid therethrough and a mixing within the device of the rearwardly flowing fluid with the supplied, forwardly flowing fluid.

18. A fluid distributing and mixing device as set forth in claim 6 in which at least a portion of the open, rear end of the flaring member next adjacent to the first mentioned member is disposed laterally outward of the corresponding portion of the fluid supply opening in said first mentioned member, whereby supplied fluid flowing through said opening is prevented from entering the rearmostpassageway and is directed across said passageway, thereby producing a suction effect within and a rearward flow of fluid through said passageway and a mixing within the device of the rearwardly flowing fluid with the supplied, forwardly flowing fluid.

19. A fluid distibuting and mixing device as set forth in claim 6 in which at least a portion of the rear end of at least one of said flaring members is constructed and arranged to deflect the supplied air across at least a portion of at least one. of the passageways disposed in advance thereof, whereby there is produced within said portion of said passageway a suction effect causing a rearward flow of fluid therethrough and a mixing within the device of the rearwardly flowing fluid with the supplied, forwardly flowing fluid.

20. A fluid distributing and mixing device as set forth in claim 6 in which at least a portion of the rear end of at least one of the flaring members is inclined forwardly and toward the axis of the device and is disposed relative to the corresponding portion of the rear end of a smaller of said members to deflect the supplied air across at least a portion of a passageway between said members, whereby there' is produced within said portion of saidpassageway a suction eifect causing rearward flow of fluid therethrough arid a mixing within the device of the rearwardly flowing fluid with the sup lied, forwardly flowing fluid.

FRANZ J. KURTH. 

